Needle strips for spinning machines and method of employing same



n May 3, 1960 J. J KEYsER 2,934,195

NEEDLE STRIPS FOR SPINNING MACHINES AND METHD OF EMPLOYING SAME Filed Aug. 23, 1955 United States Patent NEEDLE STRIPS FOR SPINNING MACHINES AND METHOD F EMPLOYING SAME Johann Jacob Keyser, Aarau, Switzerland, assignor to Schiess Aktiengesellschaft, Dusseldorf-Oberkassel, Germany Application August 23, 1955, Serial N0. 530,137

Claims priority, application Germany August 25, 1954 4 Claims. (Cl. 19-129) The present invention relates to textile machine equipment and, more particularly, concerns needle strips, gill bars or fallers for spinning machines and a method of employing the same.

In order to guide and retard the ilber material during the drawing of the sliver or ber strands in a y frame such as a gill box, needle fields are employed which are composed of a plurality of strips or bars provided with needles or pins. These needle iields vary in accordance with the type and nature of the liber material to be processed and the quantity to be worked. Therefore, it becomes necessary to keep in stock a supply of different needle strips in order to be able to adapt the needle fields to the respective liber material to be processed. Aside from the relatively high amount of money required to build up such supply and the cost of maintaining such a variety of needle strips, a considerable time is required to build up the respective varied needle field. This means quite a loss of time which is particularly high when needle strips with worn olf needles or pins have to be eX- changed. In as much as the heretofore customary needle strips in most instances consist of metal, they have additional inherent drawbacks caused by rusting and electrostatic charges which react very unfavorably on the liber draft. The relatively great mass of the needle strips to be moved requires heavy transmissions and, therefore, great power consumption. The wear and tear and the machine noise is correspondingly great.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide needle strips which will overcome the above mentioned drawbacks.

It is a particular object ofthis invention to provide needle strips which will materially reduce the number of different needle strips heretofore necessary in order to be able to create a certain number of different needle It is another object of this invention to provide a needle strip which in cooperation with one or more identical needle strips may selectively yield at least two diierent needle fields.

It is a further object to provide a needle strip which in cooperation with one or more identical needle strips will yield at least four different needle elds.

Another object of this invention consists in the provision of needle bars which, while having the same spacing of the needles and the same length, can easily be composed to different needle fields.

It is a further object to provide needle strips which will not rust.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a method of arranging two or more needle strips of the above mentioned type, which will make it possible to build up a variety of needle lelds in a period of time which is materially reduced over the time necessary to `build up similar needle elds with the heretofore conventional needle strips.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly from the following specifica- 2,934,795. Patented May 3, 1,960

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2 tion in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figs. 1 and 1a respectively represent a front and Vside view of a needle strip according to the invention.

Figs. 2 and 2a respectively represent the top views of two different needle fields made up of two identical needle strips of the type shown in Fig. 1.

Figs. 3 and 3a respectively illustrate the top View and end view of a somewhat modilied needle strip with a double row of needles.

Figs. 4 and 4a respectively represent a front view and side view of a needle strip according to the invention with needles on two opposite sides.

Fig. 5 is perspective view of a needle Vstrip somewhat similar to that of Figs. 4 and 4a but with a double row of needles in an arrangement similar to the arrangement shown in Figs. 3 and 3a.

Figs. 6 to 6d illustrate tive different combinations built up with the needle strips of Fig. 2.

General arrangement In order to overcome the drawbacks of the needle strips heretofore known, a needle strip according to the present invention is so designed that its needle free ends dier. in length by a fraction of the needle spacing. In this way by using uniform needle strips, it is possible to create diierent needle fields. To this end, it is merely necessary one time to arrange the needle 'strips in such a manner that a shorter needle free end of one strip is adjacent a longer needle free end of the adjacent strip, while another time the needle -free ends of equal length are adjacent each other. It has proved advantageous to distribute the needles on a needle strip in such a manner that the lengths of the needle free ends differ from each other by T/ 2, T representing the needle spacing and n representing an integer.

According to a further development of theinvention, two opposite longitudinal surfaces of the needle strip may be provided with needles, while` the lengths of the needle free ends of one of said two surfaces differ from each other and also from the length of the needle free ends of the other of said two surfaces, which last mentioned needle free ends likewise differ from each other as to length. A particularly convenient arrangement of this type is obtained when the difference between the needle free ends on each of the needle covered surface is T/4. Thus, e.g., the needle free ends on one needle covered surface may be a and a-l-T/4, respectively,- while the lengths of the needle free ends on the other surface of the needle strip may be a+T/2 and a-l-fAT respectively. It will be obvious that with identical needle strips of this character a considerable number of different needle elds can be built up in as much aseach needle strip can be turned by not only about its short axis but also about its longitudinal axis. 'Ihis ;variet'y of needle fields can still further be increased when, inaccordance with a further modification of the invention, at least two rows of needles of different needle spacing are arranged on one and the same surface of the needle strip. According to one embodiment of the'invention, the strip itself yas well as the needles maybe made of the same material, but, if desired, they may also be made of diierent material. 'Phe needles may be integral with the strip. A particularly advantageous needle strip will be obtained when making the strip of synthetic material. 'j

Structural arrangement .3 the distance T. The needling or pinning of thecomb strip 1 is, according to the present invention, arranged so that the needle free ends differ from each other in length by a' fraction of the needle spacing T. `In the example shown in Fig. 1, the needle free end a which is adjacent the end surface A is shorter in length than the needle free end adjacent the end surface B and this by the amount of T/ 2. The total length of strip 1, the .shape of its cross section, and the spacing T depend on the type and dimensions of the respective machine in connection with which ithe needle strip is to be used.

Figs. 2 and 2a illustrate the two different possibilities of applying a needle strip according to Figs. 1 and la. According .to.Fig. 2, .the Itwo needle strips 1 are arranged o ,one behind the other sso that the needle free ends of strip 1 (the upper one in the drawing) are respectively along- .side the needle free ends of equal length of the other needle strip 1, while the end surfaces of the needle strips ,are flush with each other.

According to Fig. 2a, the second or lower needle strip 41 `has been turned about'its short axis by 180 with regard to the second or lower needle strip of Fig. 2 so that the needle free end a+ T/ 2 of the second strip is alongside the needle free end a of the first strip, while the end surfaces of the two strips are flush with each other. Consequently, while the effective needle spacing in Fig. 2 is T, the effective needle spacing in Fig. 2a is T/ 2. It is obvious that the formation of the entire needlel field, composed of a number of strips, may be modified further by alternating the arrangement of Fig. 2 with the arrangement of Fig. 2a. It will likewise be evident that `.further variations of the needle field may be obtained when additional strips are employed the needle free ends of which, instead of differing in length by T/2, differ from each other in length by other fractions of the needle spacing, e.g. by T/4 and T/ 8. Such multiple combinations may, however, also be obtained with identical strips, n if the individual strip is provided with needles or pins on two surfaces or sides and the needles on both sides are arranged in accordance with the principle of the present invention as shown e.g. in Figs. 4 and 4a. In this particular instance, the strip 1 has two opposite longitudinal surfaces provided with needles or pins 2 in such a manner that the needle free left end a of the strip surface 4 is the shortest one of all four needle free ends of the strip. The right hand needle free end of the strip surface 4 is longer than a, namely by T/4 so that its length is The left needle free end of the strip surface 5 is all--7 and the right hand needle free end of the strip surface 5 is a-l-ST. In other words, beginning with the shortest needle free end a and moving from left to right, first on surface 4 and then on surface 5, the needle free ends of strip 1 increase by adjacent each other while the end surfaces C, C are flush with each other, a needle field of the type shown in Fig. 2V will result, and, therefore, it will be superfluousto illustrate the needle field again.

By turning either the surface 4 or the surface 5k of strip 1' upwards or downwards and making either the Aend surface C or the end surface D the leftside end surface, needle fields may be obtained having an effective needle spacing of lAT, 1/zT, or SAT. Thus, Fig. 6 shows two strips 1 with the surfaces 4 up and the end surface C of one strip ush with the end surface D of the other strip. The result is a needle field with a needle spacing of IAT and SAT.

Fig. 6a shows the first strip 1' in the same position as in Fig. 6 but the second strip 1' has its surface 5 up while the end surface C of the latter strip is flush with the end surface C of the other strip. The result is a needle field with a needle spacing of Fig. 6b shows a combination of four strips 1'. The first two strips 1-in the drawing the uppermost and the second highest-occupy the same position as the strips in Fig. 6 while third strip has the same position as the lowermost in Fig. 6a and the fourth strip has likewise surface 5 up but its end surface D is iiush with the end surface C of the adjacent strip. This arrangement yields an effective needle spacing of IAT, the needles of each strip being offset with regard to the needles of the other strip.

While with the needle strip combinations shown in Figs. 2, 2a and 6, 6a, 6b, the degree of friction of the fibers Iin the needle field and thus their retardation is determined primarily by the needle spacing of the needle field, Figs. 6c and 6d illustrate another variation according to which in addition to the needle spacing also the number of the needles 2 arranged behind each other in the field, will inuence the degree of friction of the fibers in the needle field. Fig. 6c illustrates a needle field composed of two sets of three strips` 1 with the surface 4 up, while each strip l occupies the position of the first or uppermost strip 1 in Fig. 6a. The said two sets of needle strips 1 are separated from each other by a needle strip 1' having its surface 5 up and occupying the position of the second or lower strip 1 of Fig. 6a.

According to the arrangement of Fig. 6d, two strips 1 with surface 4 up alternate with two strips 1 which have their surface 5 up and their end surfaces D flush with each other and with the end surfaces D of the two preceding strips 1. Thus, the friction lengths l, l1 in the arrangement of Fig. 6c are different from each other, whereas the friction lengths l2, I3 in Fig. 6d are equal. In this way, any possible combination with equal or dierent friction lengths may be created. This, however, does still not exhaust all possibilities in as much as the combinations can still further be increased according to the invention by the addition of further individual or double needle strips 1 and 1 respectively with a still finer needle spacing which may for instance allow an additional needle spacing of It is, of course, obvious that, if desired, strips may be provided which from the start represent a fixed combination. Such strips may comprise two or more rows of needles on one and the same surface of the strips and arranged one behind the other over the width b of the strip in conformity with the invention. Such strips are shown e.g. in Figs. 3, 3a and Fig. 5. In Figs. 3, 3a two rows of needles 2are distributed over the width b of the strip 1 on one and the same surface thereof, while according to Fig. 5 a double row of needles 2" is arranged on two opposite sides of the Vstrip 1". The rows of these strips, may for instance, be arranged in accordance with the combination shown in Figs. 2a, 6, or 6b. In this instance, when using double rows on two opposite sides of the strip, one side may comprise the needle arrangement formed by the first two strips 1 of Fig. 6b, while the other side may comprise the needle arrangement formed by two lower stn'ps 1 of Fig. 6b.

. As will be clear from the above, the invention makes it possible to build up a great variety of needle fields with only a few identical needle strips. Therefore, as a rule, needles of the same diameter may be used, because the variation in the needle. field structure which has to be adapted to the type and property of the fiber material to be processed, has become possible by the combination of the needle spacing. Strips with different needle spacing T which heretofore have been required in a great variety of designs, are no longer necessary, and the needle spacing may be the same with all needle strips according to the invention. It is obvious that in this way the manufacture of the needle strips becomes materially simplified. Also a smaller supply of needle strips may now be held in stock, and the time required for exchanging needle strips is materially reduced. Thus, the new needle strips according to the invention bring about a material saving in cost and time. Worn out needle strips can by a. few manual operations be replaced by less worn out needle strips of the same needle eld.

According to a further development of the invention, the strip and the needles may be made of one and the same material which fact further simplifies the manufacturing process. However, if desired, the needles and the strips may be made of different material. Thus, e.g., the strip may be of aluminum while the needles may be of steel. Even then the manufacture of needle strips according to the present invention represents a material simplification over the manufacture of the heretofore known needle strips. This is due to the fact that in view of the needle spacing being the same, the same jig can be used for inserting the needles into the strips.

A needle strip partly or entirely made of synthetic substantially rigid material, plastic masses, etc. is of particular advantage in as much as it is of low mass, so that the stress and power consumption of the machine is reduced. Furthermore, the strip does not rust and cannot become electrically charged. Additionally, its manufacture is materially simplified and requires only a few jigs so that a cheap mass production of needle strips becomes possible. It should also be mentioned that the invention makes possible the manufacture of lighter and less noisy machines which will operate at higher delivery speed than the gills and intersectings heretofore known.

It is, of course, understood that the present invention is, by no means, limited to the particular designs shown in the drawings but also comprises any modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. As a new article of manufacture, a needle strip for use in connection with spinning machines which has two opposite longitudinal sides provided with a row of evenly spaced needles, each of said rows extending in longitudinal direction of said strip, and each of said two longitudinal sides having needle free end portions all differing progressively from each other in length by 1A of the distance between two adjacent needles.

2. In combination in a needle strip arrangement for spinning machines, at least four needle strips of the same length and with identical needle spacing arranged alongside each other so that the end surfaces of said strips are flush with each other, each of said strips having at least two rows of needles respectively provided on two longitudinal sides of the strip, and each of said two longitudinal sides having needle free end portions all differing progressively from each other by a fraction of the needle spacing, the arrangement being such that each needle free end portion of one strip is adjacent a needle free end portion of different length of the adjacent needle strip.

3. A needle strip arrangement for spinning machines, which includes more than two needle strips having substantially identical length and needle spacing and being arranged alongside each other, each of said needle strips having different needle-free end portions, all of said needle-free end portions progressively differing from each other by a fraction of said needle spacing, said fraction having as numerator' l and as denominator the total number of different needle-free end portions, each of said needle strips being adapted to have either one of its ends Iarranged flush with either one of the ends of another one of said strips.

4. As a new article of manufacture: a needle strip for use in connection with spinning machines, which has two opposite longitudinal sides provided with at least one row of differently spaced needles, each of said rows extending in longitudinal direction of said strip, and each of said two longitudinal sides having needle-free end portions all differing progressively by a fraction of the distance between two adjacent needles.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,281,240 Holdsworth Apr. 28, 1942 2,409,565 Holdsworth Oct. 15, 1946 2,602,194 Abbott July 8, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 935 Great Britain of 1870 1,466 Great Britain of 1868 2,582 Great Britain of 1856 7,512 Great Britain of 1888 10,456 Great Britain of 1884 

